Physician - Psychiatrist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval – award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

• United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine.
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• Current – full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States – or in the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification.
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education – the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) – in the list published for the year the residency – or fellowship if applicable – was completed.
• OR (2) One year of post‑medical school training (internship – first year of residency – or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post‑training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States.
• OR (3) Non‑US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) – which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs).
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. – not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis.
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged.
• Rather – they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision.
• Additionally – surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
• In rare and unusual circumstances – the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer – who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience – accomplishments – performance – and qualifications warrant such action.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Additional Requirement: Board Certification or eligibility in Psychiatry.
• Preferred Experience: Significant experience and expertise in the evaluation and understanding of general psychiatric disorders (depression – substance use disorders – serious mental illness – post traumatic stress disorders) is highly desirable since these are highly prevalent conditions in acute psychiatry settings.
• Experience with other cognitive disorders – such as the dementias – would also be essential to help evaluate older Veterans of the Vietnam conflict who also demonstrate a complex picture of combined cognitive symptoms.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in design and implementation of programs or quality/process improvement projects.
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective interpersonal relationships with all levels of medical center personnel.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit
• Physical Requirements: Applicants must meet physical standards for the position.
• A physical examination prior to placement is required.
• This is a designated drug testing position; after appointment you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
• Requires lifting 15–44 pounds, pushing (approx 2 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking and standing from 3–5 hours and kneeling, and ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
• Must have depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; hearing aid is permitted.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until September 21, 2026.
• The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 27, 2026 – with subsequent cut‑off dates every 2 weeks.
• Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.
• VHA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.
• Work Schedule: Full‑time – schedule to be determined by supervisor.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more.
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact View email address on click.appcast.io – the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Pay: Competitive salary – annual performance bonus – regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 50–55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME).
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
• Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory.
• CME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full‑time with board certification).
• Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided.
• Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the evaluation of patients admitted to the acute inpatient psychiatry units as well as for patients in the Emergency Department and other Acute Care areas of the hospital when psychiatric consultation is requested.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the development and application of a treatment plan for patients admitted to the acute inpatient psychiatry units.
• For CL work (within Acute Care or ED settings) – the incumbent will be responsible for delivering recommendations to the primary team for the management and treatment of mental health and behavioral conditions specific to the consultation request that is placed.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the evaluation and management of patients admitted to Foundations of Recovery Mental Health Rehabilitation Recovery Program (MHRRTP).
• The incumbent will also supervise trainees – including but not limited to medical students and residents – in all of these settings.
• The incumbent will practice safety – environmental – and/or infection control methods.
• The incumbent will provide on‑call services and other duties as needed.
• The incumbent will follow VAPAHCS Policies and National Directives.
• The incumbent will serve on at least one hospital committee by attending meetings regularly and contributing toward committee projects/plans as needed.
• The incumbent will support and enhance the VAPAHCS mission – values – and goals.
• If engaged in research – the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring research outcome studies are conducted according to VAPAHCS policies and procedures.
• The incumbent will provide education of trainees and staff as required.
• The incumbent may perform other duties as assigned.